1 Apr 2010

Italian ruling adds to anti-doping armoury

6:11 am on 1 April 2010

After a groundbreaking decision against Spain's Manuel Beltran this week, cyclists now know their bank accounts and not just their reputations could be in tatters if they cheat.

The Italian Cycling Federation ordered Beltran to pay 100,000 euros in damages after he failed a test for EPO during the 2008 Tour de France.

He was also ordered to play his sponsor's legal fees because he broke conditions in his contract by taking a banned substance.

The Federation tribunal will not release the reasoning behind its decision until the end of the month and some teams believe the ruling could set an important precedent.

The Italian Cristian Moreni was the first rider to abide by the rule last October although others have not paid, taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.